IAAF Investigating 17 Athletes

Found potential doping violations

The International Association of Athletics Federation is investigating 17 athletes after its biological passport program turned up evidence of possible doping. Thomas Capdevielle, the organization's medical and anti-doping results manager, said that 19 athletes had already been sanctioned under the program. The biological passport program, which creates a blood profile of athletes to monitor them for unusual spikes in chemistry that could arise from doping, is also in use by tennis and cycling's governing bodies.

The announcement comes on the heels of the IAAF's announcement that it is planning to establish a testing station in Kenya's El Doret region. According to Capdevielle, the organization currently monitors about 150 Kenyan runners under the program.